One piece collapsible and glueless egg carton



Oct. 15,1963 c. D. PAINTER v 3,107,039

ONE PIECE COLLAPSIBLE AND GLUELESS EGG CARTON Filed March 20. 1961 2Sheets-Sheet 1 61 Mi ll 4 l L A 2:21 I J ;5 /7 I; I 1 .Z l 76 26 I i 30.i l2}! INVENTOR. Z9 CLAwEflPA/mEE.

Fghz. BY

w ifl Oct. 15, 1963 c. D. PAINTER 3,107,039

. ONE PIECE COLLAPSIBLE AND GLUELESS-EGG CARTON Filed March 20, 1961 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. CLAIMED. PAJYVTEE.

United States Patent Ofiice mamas Patented Oct. 15, 1963 3,107,039 ONEPIECE COLLAPSIBLE AND GLUELESS EGG CARTON Claude D. Painter, 1249 PineSt., San Francisco, Calif. Filed Mar. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 96,761 4Claims. (Cl. 229-28) My present invention relates to a collapsiblemulticelled carton primarily intended for packaging eggs, but may alsobe found suitable for holding any articles having a comparable shape andsize.

A carton for packaging eggs or similarly fragile articles must meet twogeneral requirements. It should be such that it can be folded fiat forhandling and shipment when empty and secondly, it must be easilyerected. When erected, it should also have sufiicient rigidity toprotect the articles contained therein against damage by crushing andjoggling. Inasmuch as such cartons are usually intended to be discardedafter a single use, they are preferably constructed of inexpensive paperboard which of itself has little rigidity. I therefore rely on thearrangement of the various panels and partitions of the erected cartonto support and stiffen each other. In practice, such support andstiffening is usually obtained by dovetailing the transverse andlongitudinal panels or partitions of the carton in such a manner that nopartition has a very extensive unsupported section. This method doesnot, however, provide more than the inherent stiffness of the paperboard material itself, and results in a carton that has relatively smallresistance to crushing by transverse forces unless the structure of thecarton is made very complex. However, as the carton structure becomesmore complex, its production, assembly and erection becomescorrespondingly more costly and time consuming. Where dovetailing is notused resort is had to gluing between the various portions of the cartonblank when finally or partially erected. By my invention I have nowprovided a novel egg carton structure, the blank for which may be cutfrom a single sheet of paper board and which when erected providesincreased resistance to transverse crushing of the carton as well asgreater overall rigidity.

For an understanding of my invention, reference is now made totheaccompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like partsthroughout the several views.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a developed view of the blank from which my improved cartonis constructed,

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view showing lower portion of the blank ofFIGURE 1 as folded in to form the egg or article accommodating cells,

FIGURE 3 is a front view of the carton when completely assembled,

FIGURE 4 is an end view of the carton as shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a top view of the carton with the cover portion in its openposition,

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing details of the endfiaps'assembly, and

FIGURE 7 is an end view showing the locking means for retaining theclosed carton when in use.

Upon referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawing, it will be noted that the boxportion of my improved carton comprises a bottom portion 10, twovertical side portions 11 and 12 and a cover 13 with a flap 14. Attachedto the normally upper edge of the side portion 12 there is a foldableflap 15 to which five cell forming portions 16 are hingedly attached. Atthe other side of these cell forming partitions 16 there is anadditional flap 17 to which there is foldably attached a slotted cellforming partition 18. This partition forming member 18 is here shown ashaving slots 19 that normally extend vertically when the blank is foldedto complete the carton. Cooperating with the slots 19 of the member 18the cell partition forming members 16 carry mating slots 20 that serveto form a series of substantially rigid cells within the carton. The boxforming portions of the blank, namely the bottom 1!), sides 11 and 12and the cover portions are connected together by fold lines 21, 22, 23and 24 which extend parallel with each other so that when folded in themanner intended these portions will provide the outline for asubstantially rectangular box into-which the remaining portions of theblank may be folded and positioned therein as indicated in FIGURE 2 ofthe drawings. The bottom portion 10 also carries a vertically foldableend closure flap 25 at each end with a cut out portion 26, the functionof which will be pointed out hereinafter. The side portion 11 has ahorizontally foldable flap 27 at each end, each of which carry mutilatedslot 28 and cooperating with the flap 27 and its mutilated slot 28 theside portion 12 of the carton carries horizontally foldable end flaps29, each of which have a deformable locking tongue 30 which whenprojected through the mutilated slots 28 at the ends of the flaps 27will serve as a means for securing the box forming portion of the blankin an assembled egg cell accommodating condition. To complete the boxwhen folded as here indicated the cover 13 will form a closure therefor.Hinged to the outer edge of the top portion 13 there is a downwardlyfoldable flap 14 that carries oppositely extending tongues 31 at itssides which when inserted into slots 32 carried by the side portions 12will serve to completely secure the cover in its closed position at thevertical corners of the box. At this point it should be noted that thecover portion 13 is also made of a slightly longer length than the boxportion by providing outwardly extending portions 33 at each end thereofwhich, as will be hereinafter explained, serve to center any number ofthe filled cartons in a standard shipping carton of fiberboard such asare now employed in the wholesale distribution of eggs when boxed ashere proposed.

At this point it will be noted that the fold lines 21 and 22 which serveto hingedly attach the side wall portions 11 and 12 to the bottomportion 10 are foreshortened by irregular cuts between the end flaps 25,27 and 29 so that when these end flaps are folded along the fold lines34 a right angled leg or foot 35 will be provided at each lower cornerof the box. For a further detail it will be noted that the fold line 36between the side portion 12 and the foldable flap 15 is likewiseforeshortened and disposed inwardly from the normally outer edge of theside portion 12. As a result, the cell forming portions 16 with thepartition 18 interlocked therewith will rest firmly upon the bottomportion 10 of the box when folded in as will be hereinafter described.As shown, the cell forming portions 16 are attached at one side of thefoldable flap 15 by right angled fold lines 37 and 38 so that when firstfolded up along the fold lines 38 the members 16 will assume verticalposition and when again folded as a unit along the fold line 37 theywill extend at a right angle to the foldable flap to which they areattached. When the cell forming partitions 16 are thus folded upparallel with each other the portion 17 may be folded thereunder alongan interrupted fold line 39 and then the slotted cell forming partition18 will be folded along a fold line 40 so as to bring the slots 19carried thereby into mating relation with the slots 20 carried by thecell forming portions 16. In this manner the cell forming portions 16and the slotted cell forming partition 13 will be positioned ininterlocking vertical relation with each other as shown in FIGURE 2 ofthe drawing. To complete the box it is then only necessary to fold upthe side Walls and interlock the end flaps 25, 28 and 29 at each endthereof.

As will be seen from an examination of FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 of thedrawings, the carton or box as formed from the blank cut as shown inFIGURE 1, is of a length that is approximately three times its width,and as for height this will be determined by the nature of the articleto be shipped therein. When the top of the box is closed, as shown inFIGURE 3, and the tongues 31 carried thereby are inserted through theslots 32 of the side wall 12 the cover will be firmly locked in itsclosed condition, and when as indicated in FIGURE 4, the deformablelocking tongues 36 carried by the end flaps 29 are projected through themutilated slots 28 the end flaps 27 and 29 will be likewise firmlysecured in overlapping relation. When the box is formed the bottom 10thereof will be supported by the feet 35 in spaced relation with otherboxes when two or more are stacked one above the other. This willprovide a space for the circulation of air between the superimposedcartons.

After the carton is formed and opened as shown in FIGURE 5, it will benoted that the egg accommodating cells as defined by the members 16 andthe partition 18 will be open and fully exposed so that the eggs orother articles may be easily placed therein.

As indicated in FIGURE 6, when the end flaps are folded to form thecarton the flaps will be innermost and the end flaps 27 and 29 will bedisposed outermost in overlapping relation when the deformable lockingtongues 39 are projected through the mutilated slots 28, as is moreclearly illustrated in FIGURE 7 of the drawings. With reference to thislatter figure of the drawings, it will be noted that the deformablelocking tongues are provided with two oppositely disposed angularlyextending fold lines 41 which permit the ends of this tongue to beflexed inwardly when being projected through the mutilated slots 28 ofthe end flaps 25. During this operation the enclosed rectangular portiondefined by the mutilated slot 28 will flex inwardly slightly into theopening 26 carried by the end flaps 25 and thus this flexing portionwill serve to complete the closure at the end of the carbon when finallyformed.

While I have, for the sake of clearness and in order to disclose myinvention so that the same can be readily understood, described andillustrated a specific form and arrangement, I desire to have itunderstood that this invention is not limited to the specific formdisclosed, but may be embodied in other ways that will suggestthemselves to persons skilledin the art. It is believed that thisinvention is new and all such changes as come within the scope of theappended claims are to be considered as part of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

l. A one piece foldable egg carton, comprising a one piece foldableblank having a bottom, two side walls and a'cover portion all foldableabout parallel fold lines to complete an elongated, container, thebottom and side walls of said carton having hinged end closure flaps atthe ends thereof, said end closure flaps being separated 'by irregularcuts extending across the fold lines of said 7 i end closure flaps andforming right angled feet at the lower corners of the carton whenerected, an end closure flap carried by the bottom of the cartondefining the width and height of the carton and being foldable innermostwith respect to the end closure flaps carried by the side walls of thecarton, the end closure flaps upon one of said side walls having amutilated slot and the end closure flaps upon the other of said sidewalls having a tongue with deformable laterally extending tabs'whichinterlock with the mutilated slot carried by the end closure flap ofsaid first side wall to complete the box forming portion of the cartonwithout a gluing therebetween, the end closure flap carried by thebottom of the carton having a cut out portion to accommodate theinterlocking tongue of said end enclosure flaps, and an egg celldefining structure formed as an integral part of said blank havingtransverse and longitudinally extending cell wall defining portionsfoldable and interlocked as a unit independently of the containerforming portion of the blank and hinged toone of the side walls of saidblank, whereby when set up said egg cell defining structure of the blankmay be folded into an egg accommodating position within the box formingportions of the container for use without glue or other securing means.

2. An egg cell forming blank for an egg carton having a bottom, sidewalls and a cover adapted and arranged to be secured in rectangularlybox-like form by glueless interlocking end flaps, comprising anextension of said blank attached by a fold line to the front wall ofsaid box-like form having a plurality of lateral egg cell wall formingportions each having a vertical slot in its lower edge and foldable intoa vertical position, and a longitudinally extending central cell wallforming partition having slots engageable with the slots of said lateralcell wall forming portions when said longitudinally extending cellforming partition is reversely folded under and interlocked with theslots of said lateral cell wall forming portions, whereby the egg celldefining portions of the blank may be set up as a cell defining unit andfolded over the box forming portion of the blank.

3. In amultiple egg cell container, the combination of a box formingportion having a bottom and side walls secured in erected positions byoverlapping end flaps and a cover with closure flap hinged to one ofsaid wall portions, said box forming portion and cover with flap beingall foldable in one clockwise direction when viewed at the end of thecarton, and a multiple cell forming portion attached by a fold line tothe other wall of said box forming portion of the blank, said multiple'cell forming portion of the blank having inner wall forming portionswith a plurality of lateral cell wall members hinged between said innerwall forming portions, and a foldable extension with vertical slots forretaining said lateral cell wall members in spaced vertical positions,and characterized by the fact that the said multiple cell formingportion of the blank is folded along its fold lines in a reverseclockwise direction, whereby upon completion of said box forming portionor said multiple cell forming portion the latter portion of thecontainer can be folded into cooperating relation with the box formingportion of the container for use without gluing or other securing means.a 4. In a multiple egg'cell container, thecombination of a box formingportion having a bottom and side walls secured in erected positions byoverlapping end flaps and a cover with closure flap hinged to one ofsaid Wall portions, said box forming portion and cover with flap beingall foldable in one clockwise direction when viewedat the end of thecarton, and a multiple cell forming portion attached by a fold line tothe other wall portion cell forming portion of the blank having innerwall forming portions with a plurality of lateral cell wall membershinged about right angle fold lines between said inner wall formingportions and a bottom portion having a foldable extension of equallength With spaced vertical slots in which said lateral cell Wallmembers are held in spaced vertical positions, and characterized by thefact that the said multiple cell forming portion of the blank is foldedalong its fold lines in a reverse clockwise direction, whereby upon afolding of said box forming portion or the multiple cell forming portionof the blank of said box forming portion of the blank, said multiple thetwo parts of the container can be folded into cooperating relation foruse Without gluing or other securing means.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSBergstein Apr. 13, Graffenberger Oct. 8, Burger Nov. 21, Newhouse J an.22, Benoit Nov. 12, Shoemaker et al Aug. 1, Ferguson May 25, GoodyearOct. 10,

Haas Apr. 13,

1. A ONE PIECE FOLDABLE EGG CARTON, COMPRISING A ONE PIECE FOLDABLEBLANK HAVING A BOTTOM, TWO SIDE WALLS AND A COVER PORTION ALL FOLDABLEABOUT PARALLEL FOLD LINES TO COMPLETE AN ELONGATED CONTAINER, THE BOTTOMAND SIDE WALLS OF SAID CARTON HAVING HINGED END CLOSURE, FLAPS AT THEENDS THEREOF, SAID END CLOSURE FLAPS BEING SEPARATED BY IRREGULAR CUTSEXTENDING ACROSS THE FOLD LINES OF SAID END CLOSURE FLAPS AND FORMINGRIGHT ANGLED FEET AT THE LOWER CORNERS OF THE CARTON WHEN ERECTED, ANEND CLOSURE FLAP CARRIED BY THE BOTTOM OF THE CARTON DEFINING THE WIDTHAND HEIGHT OF THE CARTON AND BEING FOLDABLE INNER MOST WITH RESPECT TOTHE END CLOSURE FLAPS CARRIED BY THE SIDE WALLS OF THE CARTON, THE ENDCLOSURE FLAPS UPON ONE OF SAID SIDE WALLS HAVING A MUTILATED SLOT ANDTHE END CLOSURE FLAPS UPON THE OTHER OF SAID SIDE WALLS HAVING A TONGUEWITH DEFORMABLE LATERALLY EXTENDING TABS WHICH INTERLOCK WITH THEMULTILATED SLOT CARRIED BY THE END CLOSURE FLAP OF SAID FIRST SIDE WALLTO COMPLETE THE BOX FORMING PORTION OF THE CARTON WITHOUT A GLUINGTHEREBETWEEN, THE END CLOSURE FLAP CARRIED BY THE BOTTOM OF THE CARTONHAVING A CUT OUT PORTION TO ACCOMMODATE THE INTERLOCKING TONGUE OF SAIDEND ENCLOSURE FLAPS, AND AN EGG CELL DEFINING STRUCTURE FORMED AS ANINTEGRAL PART OF SAID BLANK HAVING TRANSVERSE AND LONGITUDINALLYEXTENDING CELL WALL DEFINING PORTIONS FOLDABLE AND INTERLOCKED AS A UNITINDEPENDENTLY OF THE CONTAINER FORMING PORTION OF THE BLANK AND HINGEDTO ONE OF THE SIDE WALLS OF SAID BLANK, WHEREBY WHEN SET UP SAID EGGCELL DEFINING STRUCTURE OF THE BLANK MAY BE FOLDED INTO AN EGGACCOMMODATING POSITION WITHIN THE BOX FORMING PORTIONS OF THE CONTAINERFOR USE WITHOUT GLUE OR OTHER SECURING MEANS.